Yes, it’s time once again to submit your poetry to one of the area’s oldest and most venerable poetry contests! The Kent County Poetry Contest, managed by esteemed poet David Cope, is a competition that awards cash prizes for the division winners and publishes the winning entries in Voices, the yearly anthology that celebrates the contest. Winners are also invited to read their poetry at Festival. This year’s judge is Lesléa Newman. She is the author of 57 books for adults and children, including several books of poetry: NOBODY’S MOTHER, STILL LIFE WITH BUDDY, and SIGNS OF LOVE. Below is all the information you need to submit:
Submissions
TO ENTER: Submit no more than five (per poet) original, unpublished poems in any style or length according to the following guidelines:
• Entries must be typed and submitted in triplicate (photocopies are acceptable) with the appropriate division indicated on each copy.
• Name, address, telephone number, email (if available) and division should be written on one 3 x 5 card and submitted with the entries.
• The poet’s name must not appear on the entry itself
If you’re a Kent County Resident, submit up to five original unpublished poems to:
42nd Annual Kent County Poetry Competition (Specify appropriate division on envelope)
PO Box 1767
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Submissions accepted February 1st through March 1, 2010
Awards will be as follows:
First Division:
• 1st Place: $100
• 2nd Place: $75
• 3rd Place: $50
• Open to all Kent County students in grades K-8.
Second Division:
• 1st Place: $125
• 2nd Place: $100
• 3rd Place: $75
• Open to any student of a high school or undergraduate college within Kent County, including Grand Valley State University. Residents of Kent County who attend school elsewhere are also eligible.
Third Division:
• 1st Place: $150
• 2nd Place: $125
• 3rd Place: $100
• Open to graduate students and other adult Kent County residents.